N.Y. police chief faces child pornography charges

Jan. 23, 2014
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Mount Pleasant police Chief Brian Fanelli and his wife Sonja exit Federal Court Jan. 23, 2014 in White Plains. Fanelli was freed on $50,000 bail after appearing in federal court to face child pornography charges, hours after federal agents raided his Mahopac home and seized computers containing more than 120 files of children as young as 7 years old engaging in sex acts. / Tania Savayan, The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News

Mount Pleasant police Chief Brian Fanelli, who was joined by his wife in U.S. District Court in White Plains, entered no plea to the charges and was freed on $50,000 bail. The crime allegedly occurred between October and January, a time span when he was elevated to chief.

Fanelli told authorities he first began viewing pornographic images as research for elementary and middle school classes he was teaching about the dangers of sexual abuse.

"But shortly thereafter began viewing child pornography for personal interest," according to the federal complaint.

Agents said they found more than 120 pornographic files on two computers taken from his home, with photos and videos of the girls, some as young as 7 years old.

Fanelli is accused of downloading the files to his computer and sharing them with others, including undercover federal agents.

U.S. Attorney Pree Bharara described the case as "disturbing and sad," saying the police chief is accused of breaking a law "designed to protect the youngest and most vulnerable of our population from vile exploitation."

A longtime computer whiz at the department, Fanelli, who has two grown children, was well-liked among other officers and heavily involved with the community. He also taught fifth-graders at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish school in Shrub Oak, where he spoke to hundreds of students yearly about the dangers of sexual abuse, according to a letter posted on the parish's website.

Fanelli was not required to enter a plea. Before adjourning the case until Feb. 19, U.S. Magistrate Lisa Margaret Smith told Fanelli that he could not use computers or cellphones and could not be in the presence of minors without supervision.

If convicted, Fanelli faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Town Supervisor Joan Maybury called the news "very disturbing" and said Fanelli has been suspended with pay in accordance with his contract. She added that she will most likely appoint one of the department's two lieutenants as acting chief while Fanelli's legal situation plays itself out.

U.S. Homeland Security agents notified Maybury of Fanelli's arrest at about 12:15 p.m., she said, adding that agents turned Fanelli's gun and badge over to Mount Pleasant police and that a federal technician was inspecting the computer in his office.

"We are fully cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's Office in this investigation," Maybury said.

No one was home Thursday afternoon at Fanelli's raised ranch-style home located in a relatively quiet neighborhood in Mahopac Falls near the Westchester County border.

About 8:30 a.m. Thursday, neighbors saw a group of cars and vans pull up in front of Fanelli's house. At least two of the agents wore helmets and SWAT gear, though Fanelli was arrested without incident, neighbors said.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the case, and further details were not immediately available.

Sgt. Eric Anttila of Mount Pleasant police had no comment; other officers said they were shocked by the news.

"I'm still trying to get information myself," Lt. Robert Miliambro said.

Fanelli, 54, a native of Valhalla, was hired by the town in November 1981. He rose to the rank of lieutenant before being appointed chief in November. Fanelli receives an annual salary of $135,518.

He led the department's successful bid for state accreditation in 1998. He was instrumental in computerizing the department's records and in 1999 introduced an email alert system to disseminate crime and emergency information to residents

Fanelli has been a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for decades, according to the letter on the parish's website. Fanelli spoke to around 1,000 of the parish school's children in 2012 and in October, the letter said, warning younger children to stay safe from sexual abuse and older students to beware of "the pitfalls of social media devices, games and computer applications," according to the letter, written in August 2013 by Sara Koshofer, the parish's religious education coordinator.